After that demolishing in the Champions League way back in mid-July, the domestic season started with a First Round cup tie against Second Division Naxxar Lions, a match which we won 3-0, and which I hoped would be a precursor for the season.
It was soon made clear though, that things were not to be plain-sailing, with a loss on the first match of the season against Floriana. However, my team was quick to dispel my fears that this season might not live up to the success achieved at the end of the previous, going on a 20 match unbeaten run, which saw us build a massive 10-point lead at the top of the League, and arrive at the Cup final (although it was a bumpy ride, progressing twice on penalties).
But there was to be a twist in what is soon becoming a traditional mid-season slump of form. Three losses in 6 matches, and that massive lead was excruciatingly chopped down, and another couple of draws saw us drop into second place.
However, some poor form from my competitors coupled with some few wins from my side saw me return to the top, although with only a precarious lead, which I took through to the final round of matches.
But before that, I had to see through the fourth successive Cup final, and having had 2 matches in the previous six days, my players were exhausted, and their morale was low, having lost the previous one, leaving my lead at the top of the league at one meagre point. So it was, that the Cup dominance was finally broken, and the trophy went to Sliema Wanderers.
A week off allowed the players some rest, and although morale was still quite low, we went into the final match of the season against second-placed Tarxien knowing a draw would be enough to certify a second successive Premier League trophy. The match started with a kick in the teeth, with Tarxien scoring a penalty in the 19th minute, however, with Tarxien dominating play, hope was restored with a goal a minute before half-time. That must have been an enormous catalyst, as the second half was truly a different story, with the Knights dominating possession, and finally turning this dominance into two late, late goals.
This season was truly a tale of two halves, and although we did finally win the Premier League, after hanging on with the skin of our teeth, there certainly remains much to work upon.
The Premier League dropped 17 places to 238th.
No comments:
Post a Comment